Study and assessment of selected quality parameters of organic hen eggs available on the tri-city market.

Summary The paper presents results of assessment of hen egg s coming from organic poultry farms available on th e Tri-city market. Hen eggs „zielonono� ka kuropatwiana” purchased in “healthy food” stores in May 2012 were the study material. As a result of the research it was stated that A class egg s dominated among the purchased eggs (75%). No laps es were detected in egg labeling. This result suggests that mixing of f resh eggs with older ones might have occurred. Havi ng in mind the difficult situation on the organic food market, such sit uations should not happen since it undermines consu mer confidence in organic products. An analysis of basic quality para meters according to the regulation of Ministry of A griculture and Rural Development on the analysis of hen eggs has been pe rformed. Mass and shape of eggs were determined. It was checked whether the eggs underwent washing and cleaning pro cesses. The appearance of eggs under illumination w as assessed. The content of egg after breaking was investigated with respect to appearance, flavor, white and yolk inde x. All parameters were statistically analyzed. The examined eggs diff ered in mass and percentage content of individual c omponents. Mean active acidity of yolk and white of examined eggs lai n by free-range hens was pH = 6.45 and pH = 9.03, r espectively. Based on the presented research results obtained in this work it may be concluded that most of the organic e ggs available on the Tri-city market are characterized with high quality .